Introduction
The following is a transcription of the new 1990 version
of the Mormon temple “endowment ceremony." As we explained
in the Preface, it was transcribed by a man from a tape
recording made in a Mormon temple by a member of the LDS
Church in July, 1990. We have carefully compared the
transcript with a copy of the tape and have made some minor
corrections in the text. Our research has verified that the
transcript is an accurate copy of the tape.
While the volume was low on the tape recording we
listened to, the wording was generally very clear and easy
to understand. One exception, however, was the “Ceremony at
the Veil" — the very last portion of the endowment ritual.
At this part of the ritual a number of people are talking at
the same time in a low tone of voice. Although we could
clearly hear the tapping of the mallet and words being
exchanged, we could not follow the conversation. (The tape
of the 1984 version is relatively good at this portion of
the ceremony. The difference between the two recordings
probably relates to where the tape recorders were located
and the quality of the machines.)
Fortunately, the wording of the “Ceremony at the Veil" in
the 1990 ceremony can be accurately reconstructed from the
instructions Peter gives to those who are about to pass
through the veil. Peter tells those who are receiving their
endowments exactly what the “Lord" will ask them and the
response they are to give. With the exception of the “name"
of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood (which is
kept secret until the very last part of the ritual), the
wording would have to be the same in both places. In other
words the wording which follows is already given. This
wording is clear on the tape recording.
The man who made the transcript informed us that he
checked with the Mormon who made the tape recording and was
told that this wording, including the “name" of the Second
Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, is exactly the same as
it was before the Mormon leaders changes the temple ceremony
in 1990.
Mormon Temple Endowment
Ceremony Text (revised 1990)
Note: According to some sources the “First Presidency
Statement” below was read at the beginning of the
ceremony only for the first few months after the changes
were made. It is no longer included in the Endowment
ceremony.
INTRODUCTORY ANNOUNCEMENT: Before beginning the
Endowment service, we present the following statement
from the First Presidency.
FIRST PRESIDENCY'S STATEMENT: Since the temple Endowment
was first administered in this dispensation, minor
changes have been made from time to time by the First
Presidency and Council of the Twelve, acting unitedly in
their capacity as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
After an exacting and extensive review, and following
solemn prayer on many occasions in the Upper Room of the
Salt Lake Temple, modifications in the Endowment
ceremony have been recently made by the First Presidency
and the Quorum of the Twelve. Those of you who are
familiar with the ceremony will recognize these changes
which do not affect the substance of the teachings of
the Endowment, nor the covenants associated therewith.
As with the other aspects of the Endowment, you are
under solemn obligation not to discuss these sacred
matters outside of the temple.
May you be blessed of the Lord in the selfless service
which you give in His holy house. Sincerely, the First
Presidency.
FIRST LECTURER: Brethren and sisters, we welcome you to
the temple, and hope you will find joy in serving in the
house of the Lord this day. Those of you who are here to
receive your own Endowments should have been washed,
anointed, and clothed in the Garment of the Holy
Priesthood. For those who are representing deceased
persons, the ordinances of washing, anointing, and
clothing in the Garment of the Holy Priesthood, together
with the ordaining in behalf of the deceased brethren
were preformed previously. Each of you should have
received a New Name in connection with this company. If
any of you have forgotten the New Name, or have not
received these ordinances as explained, please stand.
(pause)
Please be alert, attentive and reverent during the
presentation of the Endowment. As you are asked to
proceed to the Veil, please do so in an orderly manner,
row by row, as directed. After passing through the Veil
into the Celestial Room, and in other areas in the
Temple, if you need to communicate, please whisper, thus
helping us maintain the quiet reverence that should
prevail in the House of the Lord. We will now proceed
with the presentation of the Endowment.
(The lights are dimmed at this point).
SECOND LECTURER: Brethren, you have been washed and
pronounced clean, or that through your faithfulness, you
may become clean from the blood and sins of this
generation. You have been anointed to become hereafter
Kings and Priests unto the Most High God, to rule and
reign in the House of Israel forever.
Sisters, you have been washed and anointed to become
hereafter Queens and Priestesses to your husbands.
Brethren and Sisters, if you are true and faithful, the
day will come when you will be chosen, called up, and
anointed Kings and Queens, Priests and Priestesses,
whereas you are now anointed only to become such. The
realization of these blessings depends upon your
faithfulness.
You have had a Garment placed upon you, which you were
informed represents the garment given to Adam and Eve
when they were found naked in the garden of Eden, and
which is called the “Garment of the Holy Priesthood."
This you were instructed to wear throughout your life.
You were informed that it will be a shield and a
protection to you inasmuch as you do not defile it, and
if you are true and faithful to your covenants.
You have had a New Name given unto you, which you were
told never to divulge, nor forget. This New Name is a
keyword which you will be required to give at a certain
place in the temple today.
Your Endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in
the House of the Lord, which are necessary for you, to
enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father,
passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being enabled
to give them the key words, the signs and the tokens,
pertaining to the Holy Priesthood, and gain your eternal
exaltation.
If you proceed and receive your full endowment, you will
be required to take upon yourselves sacred obligations,
the violation of which will bring upon you the judgment
of God; for God will not be mocked. If any of you desire
to withdraw rather than accept these obligations of your
own free will and choice, you may now make it known by
raising your hand.
Brethren and sisters, as you sit here, you will hear the
voices of three persons who represent Elohim, Jehovah,
and Michael. Elohim will command Jehovah and Michael to
go down and organize a world. The work of the six
creative periods will be represented. They will also
organize man in their own likeness and image, male and
female.
(The lights are now turned down completely and the
curtains at the front of the endowment room are drawn
open, revealing a wall onto which the film is projected.
The filmed presentation commences with the scene of
several asteroids drifting in black space amidst the
stars. Women's and then men's voices are heard singing,
as if part of an angelic choir. As the Gods speak their
voices are sonorous and reverberating.)
~ THE CREATION — FIRST DAY
~
ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, see: yonder is matter
unorganized, go ye down and organize it into a world
like unto the other worlds we have hereunto formed. Call
your labors the First Day, and bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done Elohim. Come Michael, let us
go down.
MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Michael, see: here is matter unorganized. We
will organize it into a world like unto other worlds we
have heretofore formed. We will call our labors the
First Day, and return and report.
MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors of the
First Day, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have done as thou hast commanded,
and have called our labors the First Day.
ELOHIM: It is well.
~ SECOND DAY ~
ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, go down again. Gather the
waters together and cause the dry land to appear. The
great waters call ye seas, and the dry land call ye
earth. Form mountains and hills, great rivers and small
streams, to beautify and give variety to the face of the
earth. Call your labors the Second Day, bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us
go down.
MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Michael, we will gather the waters together and
cause the dry land to appear. The great waters we will
call seas, and the dry land we will call earth. We will
form mountains and hills, great rivers and small streams
to beautify and give variety to the face of the earth.
We will call our labors the Second Day, and return and
report.
MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors of the
Second Day, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have done as thou hast commanded,
and have called our labors the Second Day.
ELOHIM: It is well.
~ THIRD DAY ~
ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, return again to the earth that
you have organized. Divide the light from the darkness.
Call the light “day," and the darkness “night." Cause
the lights on the firmament to appear; the greater light
to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.
Cause the stars also to appear and give light to the
earth, the same as with other worlds heretofore created.
Call your labors the Third Day, and bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us
return again to the earth that we have organized.
MICHAEL: We will return, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Michael, we will divide the light from the
darkness, and call the light “day," and the darkness
“night." We will cause the lights in the firmament to
appear, the greater to rule the day, and the lesser to
rule the night. We will cause the stars also to appear
and give light to the earth; the same as with other
worlds heretofore created. We will call our labors the
Third Day, and return and report.
MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors of the
Third Day, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have done as thou hast commanded,
and have called our labors the Third Day.
ELOHIM: It is well.
~ FOURTH DAY ~
ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, return and place seeds of all
kinds in the earth that they may spring forth as grass,
flowers, shrubbery, trees, and all manner of vegetation;
each bearing seed in itself after its own kind. Call
your labors the Fourth day, and bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us
go down.
MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Michael, we will place seeds of all kinds in
the earth that they may spring forth as grass, flowers,
shrubbery, trees, and all manner of vegetation. We will
call our labors the Fourth Day, and return and report.
MICHAEL: We will return and report our labors of the
Fourth Day, Jehovah.
~ FIFTH DAY ~
ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, now that the earth is formed,
divided and beautified, and vegetation is growing
thereon, return and place all manner of life upon the
earth. Command the beasts, the fowls, the fishes, the
insects, all creeping things, and other forms of animal
life to multiply in their respective elements, each
after its kind, and every kind of vegetation to multiply
in its sphere, that every form of life may fill the
measure of its creation, and have joy therein. Call your
labors the Fifth Day, and bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Come Michael, let us
go down.
MICHAEL: We will go down, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Michael, now that the earth is formed, divided
and beautified, and vegetation is growing thereon, we
will place beasts upon the land: the elephant, the lion,
the tiger, the bear, the horse, and all other kinds of
animals; fowls in the air in all their varieties, fishes
of all kinds, in the waters, and insects and all manner
of animal life upon the earth. We will command the
beasts, the fowls, the fishes, the insects, all creeping
things, and other forms of animal life to multiply in
their respective elements, each after its kind, and
every kind of vegetation to multiply in its sphere, that
every form of life may fill the measure of its creation,
and have joy therein. We will call our labors the Fifth
Day, and return and report.
MICHAEL: It is well, Jehovah. Now that the earth is
formed with vegetation growing thereon, and provided
with all manner of life, it is glorious and beautiful.
JEHOVAH: It is, Michael.
MICHAEL: Let us return and report our labors of the
Fifth Day, Jehovah.
JEHOVAH: Elohim, we have done as thou hast commanded,
and have called our labors the Fifth Day.
ELOHIM: It is well.
~ SIXTH DAY ~
ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, is man found upon the earth?
JEHOVAH : Man is not found on the earth, Elohim.
ELOHIM: Jehovah, Michael, the let us go down and form
man in our own likeness and in our own image, male and
female, and put into them their spirits, and let us give
them dominion over all things on the face of the earth.
We will plant for them a garden, eastward in Eden, and
place them in it to tend and cultivate it, that they may
be happy, and have joy therein. We will command them to
multiply and replenish the earth, that they may have joy
in their prosperity. We will place before them the Tree
of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and we will allow
Lucifer, our common enemy, whom we have thrust out to
tempt them, and to try them, that they may know by their
own experience the good from the evil. If they yield to
temptation we will give unto them The Law of Sacrifice,
and we will provide a savior for them, as we counseled
in the beginning, that they may be brought forth by the
power of the redemption and the resurrection, and come
again into our presence, and with us partake of Eternal
Life and exultation. We will call this the sixth day,
and we will rest from our labors for a season. Come, let
us go down.
JEHOVAH: We will go down, Elohim.
(The film now shows a scene of a lush, tropical area.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, see the earth that we have formed.
There is no man to till and take care of it. We are here
to form man in our own likeness and in our own image.
JEHOVAH: We will do so, Elohim.
(The youthful body of Adam who appears to be sleeping,
is shown from the shoulders up.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, man is now organized, and we will put
into him his spirit, the breath of life, that he may
become a living soul.
(Adam stirs, and begins to sit up.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, is it good for man to be alone?
JEHOVAH: It is not good for man to be alone, Elohim.
ELOHIM: We will cause a deep sleep to come upon this man
whom we have formed, and we will take from his side a
rib from which we will form a woman to be a companion
and helpmeet for him.
(Adam lays his head upon the ground as he looses
consciousness.)
NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, this is Michael, who
helped form the earth. When he awakens from the sleep
which Elohim and Jehovah have caused to come upon him,
he will be known as Adam, and having forgotten all, will
have become a little child. Brethren, close your eyes as
if you were asleep.
(All male patrons in the room close their eyes.)
ELOHIM: Adam, awake and arise.
(Adam obeys the command, and is shown with foliage in
front of him which conceals his body from view. The
youthful Adam appears to be in good physical condition,
and is clean shaven.)
NARRATOR: All the brethren will please arise.
(The male patrons open their eyes and rise from their
seats. An attractive, youthful Eve enters the scene and
stands beside Adam. They are both shown from the
shoulders up.)
ELOHIM: Adam, here is a woman whom we have formed and
whom we give unto you to be a companion and helpmeet for
you. What will you call her?
ADAM: Eve.
(For the first time, the Gods, Elohim and Jehovah, are
shown. They are two bearded, luminescent, glorious
personages, clothed in flowing white robes. They appear
standing in mid-air above and in front of Adam and Eve,
and are surrounded by a radiant aura of silvery-white
light.)
ELOHIM: Why will you call her Eve?
ADAM: Because she is the mother of all living.
ELOHIM: That is right, Adam; because she is the mother
of all living. We have organized for you this earth, and
have planted a garden, eastward in Eden. We will place
you in the garden and we will there command you to
multiply and replenish the earth, that you may have joy
and rejoicing in your posterity. Jehovah, introduce Adam
and Eve into the garden which we have prepared for them.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
NARRATOR: We now go with Adam and Eve into the garden.
The brethren will now be seated.
(Adam and Eve join hands, and are introduced into the
garden as the male patrons are seated. The scene changes
to the garden.)
ELOHIM: Adam, Eve, we have created this earth, and have
placed upon it all kinds of vegetation and animal life.
We have commanded all these to multiply in their own
sphere and element. We give you dominion over all these
things, and make you, Adam, Lord over the whole earth,
and all things on the face thereof. We now command you
to multiply and replenish the earth, that you may have
joy and rejoicing in your posterity. We have also
planted for you this garden, wherein we have placed all
manner of fruits, flowers, and vegetation. Of every tree
of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the Tree of
Knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat;
nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is
given unto thee. But, remember that I forbid it, for in
the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Remember these commandments which we have given unto
you. Now, go to, dress this garden, take good care of
it, be happy and have joy therein. We shall go away, but
we shall visit you again and give you further
instructions.
(Adam and Eve surveys the garden, examining the plant
and animal life. Adam peers over a hedge of bushes and
smiles as he watches a lion lazily stretching on the
ground. As Lucifer introduces himself in the following
scene, he stands in the shadows as he begins to speak
and then steps forward into the light. Lucifer wears
black and gray clothing with a cloak. He is also clean
shaven.)
LUCIFER: Well, Adam, you have a new world here.
ADAM: A new world?
LUCIFER: Yes, a new world, patterned after the old one
where you used to live.
ADAM: I know nothing about any other world.
LUCIFER: Oh, I see, your eyes are not yet opened. You
have forgotten everything. You must eat some of the
fruit of that tree.
(Lucifer plucks fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good
and Evil, and presents it to Adam.)
LUCIFER: Adam, here is some of the fruit of this tree.
It will make you wise.
ADAM: I will not partake of that fruit. Father told me
that in the day I should partake of it I should surely
die.
LUCIFER: You shall not surely die but shall be as the
Gods, knowing good and evil.
ADAM: I will not partake of it.
LUCIFER: Oh you will not? Well, we shall see.
(Lucifer goes in search of Eve and hears a lamb
bleating. He turns his head and finds Eve carrying a
small lamb.)
LUCIFER: Eve, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It
will make you wise. It is delicious to the taste and
very desirable.
EVE: Who are you?
LUCIFER: I am your brother.
EVE: You, my brother, and come here to persuade me to
disobey Father?
LUCIFER: I have said nothing about Father. I want you to
eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and
Evil, that your eyes may be opened, for that is the way
Father gained his knowledge. You must eat of this fruit
so as to comprehend that everything has its opposite:
good and evil, virtue and vice, light and darkness,
health and sickness, pleasure and pain—thus your eyes
will be opened and you will have knowledge.
EVE: Is there no other way?
LUCIFER: There is no other way.
EVE: Then I will partake.
(Eve takes the fruit from Lucifer, and bites it. Lucifer
approves and places the other piece in her hand.)
LUCIFER: There, now go and get Adam to partake.
(Eve turns, and seeks Adam, fruit in hand. She finds him
kneeling by a brook dipping his hand into the water.
Fish are seen swimming below the surface, and white
doves fly nearby. As Eve speaks to Adam, he stands and
smiles as he sees her.)
EVE: Adam, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It is
delicious to the taste and very desirable.
ADAM: Eve, do you know what fruit that is?
EVE: Yes, it is the fruit of the tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil.
ADAM: I cannot partake of it. Do you not know that
Father commanded us not to partake of the fruit of that
tree?
EVE: Do you intend to obey all of Father's commandments?
ADAM: Yes, all of them.
EVE: Do you not remember that Father commanded us to
multiply and replenish the earth? I have partaken of
this fruit and by so doing shall be cast out, and you
will be left a lone man in the garden of Eden.
ADAM: Eve, I see that this must be. I will partake that
man may be.
(Adam takes a bite, and Lucifer walks to their side with
a look of approval.)
LUCIFER: That is right.
EVE: It is better for us to pass through sorrow that we
may know the good from the evil.
EVE: I know thee now. Thou art Lucifer, he who was cast
out of Father's presence for rebellion.
LUCIFER: Yes, you are beginning to see already.
ADAM: What is that apron you have on?
(Lucifer draws his cloak up to reveal a black apron.)
LUCIFER: It is an emblem of my power and Priesthoods.
ADAM: I am looking for Father to come down to give us
further instructions.
LUCIFER: Oh, you are looking for Father to come down,
are you?
(The Gods' voices are suddenly heard in the garden.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, we promised Adam and Eve that we would
visit them and give them further instructions. Come, let
us go down.
JEHOVAH: We will go down, Elohim.
ADAM: I hear their voices, they are coming.
LUCIFER: See, you are naked. Take some fig leaves and
make you aprons. Father will see your nakedness. Quick!
Hide!
ADAM: Come, let us hide.
NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, put on your aprons.
(The film pauses temporarily and the lights are turned
up while the patrons remove their fig-leave aprons from
the bundles. All patrons tie the aprons on around their
waists. The lights are again turned down and the film
resumes. The camera pans down and presents the Gods'
perspective as they descend. Adam hides behind foliage.)
ELOHIM: Adam ... Adam! ... Adam!! Where art thou?
ADAM: I heard thy voice and hid myself, because I was
naked.
ELOHIM: Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou
partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good
and Evil, of which we commanded thee not to partake?
ADAM: The woman thou gavest me, and commanded that she
should remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the
tree, and I did eat.
ELOHIM: Eve, what is this that thou hast done?
EVE: The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
ELOHIM: Lucifer, what hast thou been doing here?
LUCIFER: I have been doing that which has been done in
other worlds.
ELOHIM: What is that?
LUCIFER: I have been giving some of the fruit of the
Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil to them.
ELOHIM: Lucifer, because thou hast done this, thou shalt
be cursed above all the beasts of the field. Upon thy
belly shalt thou go, and dust thou shalt eat all the
days of thy life.
(As Lucifer speaks he becomes angry and a storm begins
to well up and the winds blow.)
LUCIFER: If thou cursest me for doing the same thing
which has been done in other worlds, I will take the
spirits that follow me, and they shall possess the
bodies thou createst for Adam and Eve!
ELOHIM: I will place enmity between thee and the seed of
the woman. Thou mayest have power to bruise his heal,
but he shall have power to crush thy head.
LUCIFER: Then with that enmity I will take the treasure
of the earth, and with gold and silver I will buy up
armies and navies, false priests who oppress, and
tyrants who destroy, and reign with blood and horror on
the earth!
ELOHIM: Depart!
(Thunder cracks and the storm ceases as Lucifer looks
defiantly at Elohim; he then turns and walks away.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, let cherubim and a flaming sword be
placed to guard the way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam
and Eve put forth their hands, and partake of the fruit
thereof, and live forever in their sins.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
(Jehovah commands, and light is shown shining through
the tree.)
JEHOVAH: Let cherubim and a flaming sword be placed to
guard the way of the Tree of Life, lest Adam and Eve put
forth their hands and partake of the fruit thereof, and
live forever in their sins. It is done, Elohim.
ELOHIM: Adam, because thou hast partaken of the
forbidden fruit, the earth shall be cursed for thy sake.
Instead of producing fruits and flowers spontaneously,
it shall bring forth thorns, thistles, briars, and
noxious weeds to afflict and torment man. Any by the
sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread all the days
of thy life, for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
return.
THE LAW OF OBEDIENCE
ELOHIM: Inasmuch as Eve was the first to eat of the
forbidden fruit, if she will covenant that from this
time forth she will obey the Law of the Lord, and will
hearken unto your counsel as you hearken unto mine, and
if you will covenant that from this time forth you will
obey the Law of Elohim, we will give unto you the Law of
Obedience and Sacrifice, and we will provide a Savior
for you, whereby you may come back into our presence,
and with us partake of Eternal Life and exaltation.
EVE: Adam, I now covenant to obey the Law of the Lord,
and to hearken to your counsel as you hearken unto
Father.
ADAM: Elohim, I now covenant with thee that from this
time forth I will obey thy law and keep thy
commandments.
ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, inasmuch as Adam and Eve
have discovered their nakedness, make coats of skins as
a covering for them.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
(At this point the film pauses and the lights come on.)
NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters the garment that was
placed upon you in the washing room is to cover your
nakedness and represents the coat of skins spoken of.
The officiator will represent Elohim at the Altar. A
couple will now come to the altar.
(A pre-selected “Witness Couple" now come forward and
kneel at the altar, resting their hands upon it as they
face the Officiator. The Officiator pantomimes all
movements and gestures as a model for the patrons to
follow when directed.)
NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, this couple represents
all of you as if at the altar. You must consider
yourselves as if you were respectively Adam and Eve.
ELOHIM: We will put each sister under covenant to obey
the Law of the Lord, and to hearken to the counsel of
her husband, as her husband hearkens unto the counsel of
the Father. Sisters, arise.
(Female patrons stand as instructed.)
ELOHIM: Each of you bring your right arm to the square.
You and each of you solemnly covenant and promise before
God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar that you
will each observe and keep the law of the Lord, and
hearken to the counsel of your husband as he hearkens to
the counsel of the Father. Each of you bow your head and
say “Yes."
WOMEN: Yes.
ELOHIM: That will do.
(The female patrons now resume their seats.)
ELOHIM: Brethren, Arise.
(Male patrons stand as instructed.)
ELOHIM: Each of you bring your right arm to the square.
Each of you solemnly covenant and promise before God,
angles, and these witnesses at this altar that you will
obey the law of God, and keep his commandants. Each of
you will bow your head and say "yes."
Men: Yes.
Elohim: That will do.
(Male patrons resume their seats.)
THE LAW OF SACRIFICE
ELOHIM: Brethren and sisters, we will now put you under
covenant to obey and keep the Law of Sacrifice, as
contained in the Holy Scriptures. This Law of Sacrifice
was given to Adam in the garden of Eden, who, when he
was driven out of the garden, built an altar on which he
offered sacrifices; and after many days, an angel of the
Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: "Why dost thou offer
sacrifices unto the Lord?" Adam said: "I know not, save
the Lord commanded me." And then the angel spake saying:
"This is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only
Begotten of the Father, who is full of grace and truth.
Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou dost in the name
of the Son, and thou shalt repent, and call upon God in
the name of the Son forevermore."
The posterity of Adam down to Moses, and from Moses to
Jesus Christ offered up the first fruits of the field,
and the firstlings of the flock, which continued until
the death of Jesus Christ, which ended sacrifice by the
shedding of blood. And as Jesus Christ has laid down his
life for the redemption of mankind, so we should
covenant to sacrifice all that we possess, even our own
lives if necessary, in sustaining and defending the
Kingdom of God.
All arise. Each of you bring your right arm to the
square. You and each of you solemnly covenant and
promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this
altar that you will observe and keep the Law of
Sacrifice, as contained in the Holy Scriptures, as it
has been explained to you. Each of you bow your head and
say "yes."
PATRONS: Yes.
ELOHIM: That will do.
(patrons resume their seats.)
THE FIRST TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
ELOHIM: We will now give unto you the First Token of the
Aaronic Priesthood with its accompanying name and sign.
Before doing this we desire to impress upon your minds
the sacred character of the First Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood, with its name and sign, as well as that of
all the other tokens of the Holy Priesthood, with their
names and signs, which you will receive in the temple
this day. They are most sacred, and are guarded by
solemn covenants and obligations made in the presence of
God, angels and these witnesses to hold them sacred and
under no condition will you ever divulge them, except at
a certain place in the temple that will be shown you.
The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood is given by
clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the
thumb directly over the first knuckle of the hand, in
this manner.
(The Officiator, representing Elohim, takes the right
hand of the male witness, who represents Adam at the
altar, and demonstrates the token. The male witness, who
remains kneeling, is obliged to raise his hand above his
head while receiving the grip, thus enabling the patrons
to view the manner in which the token is to be given.)
ELOHIM: Adam, we give unto you the First Token of the
Aaronic Priesthood. We desire all to receive it. All
arise.
(As the patrons stand, the Witness Couple returns to
their seats. The Officiator and several other temple
workers circulate around the room and administer the
token to the patrons as they stand at their seats. Male
workers attend to the male patrons, female workers to
the females. The Witness couple also receives the token
at this time. Each patron sits after receiving the
token.)
ELOHIM: If any of you have not received this token, you
will please raise your hand.
The name of this token is the New Name that you received
in the temple today. If any of you have forgotten the
New Name, please stand.
The sign is made by bringing the right arm to the
square, the palm of the hand to the front, the fingers
close together, and the thumb extended. This is the
sign.
(The Officiator, again at the altar, demonstrates the
sign as the description is given.)
ELOHIM: I will now explain the covenant and obligation
which are associated with this token, its name and sign
which you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I
were receiving my own Endowment today, and had been
given the name of "John" as my New Name, I would repeat
in my mind these words, after making the sign:
I, John, covenant before God, angels and these
witnesses, that I will never reveal the First Token of
the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name and
sign.
(The Officiator demonstrates the sign and drops his
hands after the words of the covenant are completed.)
ELOHIM: All arise.
(All patrons stand.)
ELOHIM: Each of you make the sign of the First Token of
the Aaronic Priesthood, by bringing your right arm to
the square, the palm of the hand to the front, the
fingers together, and the thumb extended. This is the
sign. Now, repeat in your mind after me the words of the
covenant.
I ________, think of the new name, covenant before God,
angels, and these witnesses, that I will never reveal
the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its
accompanying name and sign.
That will do. (Patrons sit down.)
(As the lights are turned down the film presentation
continues. Adam and Eve, both clad in animal skins, are
shown hurriedly exiting the garden of Eden amidst a
storm. Various animals scamper about on the ground. The
lone and dreary world reveals animals in their natural
habitats, and in a carnivorous state.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, see that Adam and Eve are driven out of
this beautiful garden into the lone and dreary world,
where they may learn from their own experience to
distinguish good from evil.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
THE LONE AND DREARY WORLD: THE TELESTIAL KINGDOM
(The scene changes to a view of Adam and Eve kneeling
across from one another at an altar. The altar is made
from a pile of stones with two large, flat stones making
the top. Adam raises his hands above his head as he
prays.)
NARRATOR: We go now with Adam and Eve into the lone and
dreary world. Brethren and sisters, this represents the
Telestial Kingdom, or the world in which we now live.
Adam, on finding himself in the lone and dreary world,
built an altar and offered prayer, and these are the
words he uttered:
ADAM: Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
(As Adam prays, Lucifer approaches from behind out of
the shadows.)
LUCIFER: I hear you; what is it you want?
(Although Adam has already encountered Lucifer in the
Garden of Eden, he fails to recognize him at this
appearance.)
ADAM: Who are you?
LUCIFER: I am the God of this world.
ADAM: You, the God of this world?
LUCIFER: Yes, what do you want?
ADAM: I am looking for messengers.
LUCIFER: Oh, you want someone to preach to you. You want
religion, do you? There will be many willing to preach
to you the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture.
ADAM: But I am looking for messengers from my Father.
(Adam and Eve turn, and walk past Lucifer, who follows
behind. The scene changes to a view of the Celestial
Kingdom, where Elohim and Jehovah stand, conversing amid
tall white pillars. They are radiant as before, and
their voices resonate as they speak.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, send down Peter, James and John to
visit the man Adam in the Telestial World, without
disclosing their identity. Have them observe conditions
generally, see if Satan is there, and learn whether Adam
has been true to the token and sign given him in the
garden of Eden. Have them then return and bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim.
(Jehovah turns from Elohim and walks between two pillars
to the edge of the platform where meets Peter, James and
John, who await His command. They are dressed as the
Jews were at the time of Christ.)
JEHOVAH: Peter, James and John, go down and visit the
man Adam in the Telestial World, without disclosing your
identity. Observe conditions there, and learn whether
Adam has been true to the token and sign given to him in
the garden of Eden. Then return and bring us word.
PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John,
let us go down.
(The three turn and leave, and the scene turns to the
lone and dreary world. Adam and Eve are shown walking
through a forested area with Lucifer following them.
Peter, followed by James and John approach Adam, Eve,
and Lucifer.)
PETER: Good morning.
LUCIFER: Good morning gentlemen.
PETER: What are you doing here?
LUCIFER: Observing the teachings of these people.
PETER: What is being taught?
LUCIFER: The philosophies of men, mingled with
scripture.
PETER: How is this teaching received?
LUCIFER: Very well! Except this man does not seem to
believe what is being taught.
(Peter approaches Adam and shakes his hand.)
PETER: Good morning. What do you think of this teaching?
ADAM: I am looking for messengers from my Father to
teach me.
PETER: That is good.
PETER: Have you any tokens or signs?
(Lucifer steps up to Peter and interjects his query.)
LUCIFER: Have you any money?
PETER: We have sufficient for our needs.
LUCIFER: You can buy anything in this world for money.
PETER: Do you sell your tokens or signs for money? You
have them, I presume.
ADAM: I have them, but I do not sell them for money. I
hold them sacred. I am looking for the further light and
knowledge Father promised to send me.
PETER: That is right. We commend you for your integrity.
Good day. We shall probably visit you again.
(Peter, James and John exit; Lucifer steps aside, and
boasts aloud.)
LUCIFER: Now is the great day of my power. I reign from
the rivers to the ends of the earth. There is none who
dares to molest, or make afraid.
(The scene changes to the Celestial Kingdom. Peter,
James, and John approach Jehovah with their report.)
PETER: Jehovah, we have visited the man Adam in the
Telestial World as thou didst command us. We found Satan
there, striving to lead the posterity of Adam astray.
But Adam has been true and faithful to the token and
sign given him in the garden of Eden, and is waiting for
the further light and knowledge you promised to send
him. This is our report.
JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James and John (Jehovah
turns and approaches Elohim.) Elohim—Peter, James and
John have been down to the man Adam in the Telestial
World. They found Satan there, striving to lead the
posterity of Adam astray with all manner of false
doctrine. But Adam has been true and faithful to the
token and sign given him in the garden of Eden, and he
is waiting for the further light and knowledge you
promised to send him. This is their report.
ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, instruct Peter, James and
John to go down in their true character as Apostles of
the Lord Jesus Christ, to Adam and Eve and their
posterity in the Telestial World, and to cast Satan out
of their midst. Instruct them to give unto Adam and Eve
and their posterity, the Law of the Gospel as contained
in the Holy Scriptures; also give unto them a charge to
avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking
of the Lord's anointed, the taking of the name of God in
vain, and every other unholy and impure practice; and
cause these to be received by covenant. Instruct Peter,
James, and John further to clothe Adam and Eve and their
posterity in the Robes of the Holy Priesthood, with the
robe on the left shoulder, and to give unto them the
Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with its
accompanying name and sign. Then have them return and
bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. (Jehovah turns, and
approaches Peter, James and John.) Peter, James and
John, go down in your true character as Apostles of the
Lord Jesus Christ to Adam and Eve and their posterity in
the Telestial World. Cast Satan out of their midst. Give
unto them the Law of the Gospel as contained in the Holy
Scriptures; also a charge to avoid all lightmindedness,
loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed, the
taking of the name of God in vain, and every other
unholy and impure practice. Cause them to receive those
by covenant. Clothe them in the Robes of the Holy
Priesthood, with the robe on the left shoulder, and give
unto them the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood,
with its accompanying name and sign. Then return and
bring us word.
PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John,
let us go down.
(The scene changes again to the lone and dreary world.
The three Apostles boldly approach Lucifer.)
PETER: I am Peter.
JAMES: I am James.
JOHN: I am John.
LUCIFER: Yes, I thought I knew you. What are you going
to do now?
PETER: We will dismiss you without further argument.
LUCIFER: Aah! You have looked over my kingdom, and my
greatness and glory. Now you want to take possession of
the whole of it. (Lucifer turns, and stares into the
camera). I have a word to say concerning these people.
If they do not walk up to every covenant they make at
these altars in this temple this day, they will be in my
power!
PETER: Satan, we command you to depart!
LUCIFER: By what authority?
PETER: (With his right arm raised to the square.) In the
name of Jesus Christ, our Master. (Lucifer is visibly
shaken as he turns and steps into a dark crevice. Peter
waits until he has left, and then approaches Adam.)
Adam, we are true messengers from the Father, and have
come to give you the further light and knowledge He
promised to send you.
ADAM: How shall I know that you are true messengers?
PETER: By our giving unto you the token and sign you
received in the garden of Eden.
ADAM: (grasping Peter by the right hand.) What is that?
PETER: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
ADAM: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
ADAM: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I cannot, for it is the New Name, and I have made
a covenant not to disclose it, but this is the sign
(Peter raises his right arm to square.)
ADAM: Now I know that you are true messengers sent down
from Father. (Adam turns and looks into the camera,
addressing the patrons, while Eve stands smiling at his
side). These are true messengers, I exhort you to give
strict heed to their counsel and teaching, and they will
lead you in the way of life and salvation.
(At this point the film presentation is concluded. The
remainder of the Endowment is conducted from an audio
recording.)
NARRATOR: The Officiator will represent Peter at the
Altar.
THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (Witness
couple comes to altar as before.) Brethren and sisters,
this couple at the altar represents all of you as if at
the altar, and you will be under the same obligations as
they will be. We are required to give unto you the Law
of the Gospel as contained in the Holy Scriptures; to
give unto you also a charge to avoid all light
mindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's
anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and
every other unholy and impure practice, and to cause you
to receive these by covenant.
All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you bring your
right arm to the square. (this is done.)
Each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and
these witnesses, that you will observe and keep the Law
of the Gospel and this charge as it has been explained
to you. Each of you bow your heads and say "yes."
PATRONS: Yes.
PETER: That will do. (All patrons sit down.)
THE ROBES OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD
PETER: We are instructed to clothe you in the Robes of
the Holy Priesthood. Place the robe on your left
shoulder. Place the cap on your head with the bow over
the right ear, replace the apron, tie the girdle with
the bow on the right side, remove the slippers from your
feet, and put them on again as part of the temple
clothing. You may now proceed to clothe.
(Patrons open their clothing envelopes dress as
instructed.)
SECOND TOKEN OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (The witness
couple kneels at the altar as before.) With the robe on
the left shoulder, you are prepared to officiate in the
ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood. We will now give
unto you the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood with
its accompanying name and sign. This Token is given by
clasping the right hands and placing the joint of the
thumb between the first and second knuckles of the hand,
in this manner.
(The Officiator and the male witness joins hands in the
token, and slightly raise their hands to demonstrate it
to the patrons.)
PETER: We desire all to receive it. All arise.
(As the Patrons stand, the witness couple returns to
their seats, and various temple workers circulate about
the room administering this token as they did the
former.)
PETER: If any of you have not received this token,
please raise your hand. The name of this token is your
own first given name if you are going through the temple
for your own Endowment, or, if you are going through for
the dead, it is the first given name of the person for
whom you are officiating.
The sign is made by bringing the right hand in front of
you, with the hand in cupping shape, the right arm
forming a square, and the left arm being raised to the
square. This is the sign. (The officiator demonstrates
the sign.) I will now explain the covenant and
obligation which are associated with this token, its
name and sign, which you will be required to take upon
yourselves.
If I were receiving my own endowment today, and if my
first given name were "David," I would repeat in my mind
those words, after making the sign:
I, David, solemnly covenant before God, angels and these
witnesses, that I will never reveal the Second Token of
the Aaronic Priesthood, with its accompanying name and
sign.
All arise. (All Patrons stand.) Each of you make the
sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic priesthood by
bringing the right hand in front of you, with the hand
in cupping shape, the right arm forming a square, and
the left arm being raised to the square. This is the
sign.
Now, repeat in your mind after me the words of the
covenant:
I _________, think of the first given name, solemnly
covenant before God, angels, and these witnesses, that I
will never reveal the Second Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood, with its accompanying name and sign. That
will do. (Patrons drop their hands by their sides.)
(All patrons sit down.)
PETER: Jehovah, we have been down to Adam and Eve and
their posterity in the Telestial World, and have cast
Satan out of their midst. We have given unto them the
Law of the Gospel as contained in the Holy Scriptures;
also a charge to avoid all lightmindedness, loud
laughter, evil speaking of the Lord's anointed, the
taking of the name of God in vain, and every other
unholy and impure practice, and have caused them to
receive these by covenant. We have also clothed them in
the Robes of the Holy Priesthood and have given unto
them the Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, with
its accompanying name and sign. This is our report.
JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James and John. Elohim—Peter,
James, and John have been down to Adam and Eve and their
posterity in the Telestial World, have cast Satan out of
their midst, and have done all else that they were
commanded to do.
ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, send down Peter, James, and
John again to the Telestial World. Have Adam and Eve and
their posterity to change their robes to their right
shoulder, preparatory to officiating in the ordinances
of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and introduce them into
the Terrestrial World. Instruct Peter, James, and John
further, to give unto them the Law of Chastity, and put
them under covenant to obey this law, which is, that the
daughters of Eve, and the sons of Adam shall have no
sexual relations except with their husbands or wives to
whom they are legally and lawfully wedded. Give unto
them the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or
the Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name and
sign. Have them return, and bring me word.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James, and
John, go down again to the Telestial World; instruct
Adam and Eve and their posterity to change their robes
to their right shoulder, preparatory to officiating in
the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood; and
introduce them into the Terrestrial World. Give to them
the Law of Chastity, and put them under covenant to obey
this law, which is, that the daughters of Eve, and the
sons of Adam shall have no sexual relations except with
their husbands or wives to whom they are legally and
lawfully wedded. Give unto them the First Token of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, or the Sign of the Nail, with
its accompanying name and sign; and return and bring us
word.
PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come James and John,
let us go down. We are instructed to have you remove the
robe and change it to the right shoulder, preparatory to
officiating in the ordinances of the Melchizedek
Priesthood; and introduce you into the Terrestrial
World. You may now remove the robe.
(The patrons stand, and remove their robes, replacing
them on their right shoulders. The male Patrons now turn
their cap, so that the bow is now placed over the left
ear, and the girdle is tied over the apron at the left
hip. The patrons then sit.)
THE TERRESTRIAL WORLD
NARRATOR: We now enter the Terrestrial World.
(Additional lights are switched on.)
THE LAW OF CHASTITY
PETER: A couple will now come to the altar. (Witness
Couple comes as before.) We are instructed to give unto
you the law of Chastity; which is, that each of you
shall have no sexual relations except with your husband
or wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded.
All please arise. (All patrons stand up.) Each of you
bring your right arm to the square. You and each of you
covenant and promise before God, angels, and these
witnesses that you will observe and keep the Law of
Chastity, as it has been explained to you. Each of you
bow your head and say "yes."
PATRONS: Yes.
PETER: That will Do. (All patrons sit down.)
FIRST TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD OR SIGN OF THE
NAIL
PETER: We will now give unto you the First Token of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, or the Sign of the Nail, with
its accompanying name and sign. This token is received
by bringing the right hand into this position: the hand
vertical, the fingers close together, and the thumb
extended; and the person giving the token placing the
tip of the forefinger of his right hand in the center of
the palm, and the thumb opposite on the back of the hand
of the one receiving it, in this manner. We desire all
to receive it. All arise.
(After Officiator and male witness demonstrate token at
the altar, temple workers circulate around room to
administer this token to the patrons.)
PETER: If any of you have not received this token, you
will please raise your hand. The name of this token is
"the Son", meaning the Son of God.
The sign is made by bringing the left hand in front of
you with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming
a square; the right hand is also brought forward, the
palm down, the fingers close together with the thumb
extended. (The Officiator makes the sign.) This is the
sign.
I will now explain the covenant and obligation which are
associated with this token, its name and sign and which
you will be required to take upon yourselves. If I were
receiving the Endowment today, either for myself or for
the dead, I would repeat in my mind these words, after
making the sign:
I solemnly covenant before God, angels, and these
witnesses, in the name of the Son that I will never
reveal the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or
Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name and sign.
All arise (All patrons stand.) Each of you make the sign
of the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign
of the Nail by bringing the left hand in front of you
with the hand in cupping shape, the left arm forming a
square; the right hand is also brought forward, the palm
down, the fingers close together with the thumb
extended. This is the sign.
Now repeat in your mind after me the words of the
covenant.
I solemnly covenant before God, angels, and these
witnesses, in the name of the Son that I will never
reveal the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood or
Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying name and sign.
(The Patrons drop their hands at their sides.)
That will do. (all patrons sit down.)
PETER: Jehovah, we have been down to Adam and Eve and
their posterity, have placed the robe on the right
shoulder and have introduced them into the Terrestrial
World. We have put them under covenant to observe and
keep the Law of Chastity. We have also given them the
First Token of the Melchizidek Priesthood or Sign of the
Nail, with its accompanying name and sign. This is our
report.
JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James, and John. Elohim—Peter,
James, and John have been down to Adam and Eve and their
posterity, and have done all that they were commanded to
do.
ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, send down Peter, James and
John and instruct them to give to Adam and Eve and their
posterity in the Terrestrial world the Law of
Consecration in connection with the law of the Gospel
and the Law of Sacrifice, and to cause them to receive
it by covenant; to give unto them the Second Token of
the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or
Sure Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign, and
to teach them the Order of Prayer and prepare them in
all things to receive further instructions at the Veil.
Then have them report at the Veil.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James, and
John, go down to Adam and Eve and their posterity in the
Terrestrial World, and give unto them the Law of
Consecration, in connection with the Law of the Gospel
and the Law of Sacrifice, and cause them to receive it
by covenant. Give unto them the Second Token of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure
Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign. Teach them
the Order of Prayer and prepare them in all things to
receive further instructions at the Veil. Then report at
the Veil.
PETER: It shall be done, Jehovah. Come, James and John,
let us go down.
THE LAW OF CONSECRATION
PETER: A couple will now come to the altar (The Witness
couple comes forward, and kneels at the altar as
before.) We are instructed to give unto you the Law of
Consecration as contained in the book of Doctrine and
Covenants (The Officiator picks up a copy of the
Doctrine and Covenants from the altar, and holds it up
in view of all patrons.), in connection with the Law of
the Gospel and the Law of Sacrifice which you have
already received. It is that you do consecrate
yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with
which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may
bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the
earth and for the establishment of Zion.
All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you bring your
right arm to the square.
You and each of you covenant and promise before God,
angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do
accept the Law of Consecration as contained in the
Doctrine and Covenants, in that you do consecrate
yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with
which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may
bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the
earth and for the establishment of Zion.
Each of you bow your head and say "yes."
PATRONS: Yes.
PETER: That will do. (all patrons sit down.)
SECOND TOKEN OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD, THE
PATRIARCHAL GRIP, OR SURE SIGN OF THE NAIL
PETER: We will now give unto you the Second Token of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure
Sign of the Nail, with its accompanying sign.
This token has reference to the crucifixion of the
Savior. When he was placed upon the cross, the
crucifiers drove nails through the palms of his hands,
then fearing that the weight of his body would cause the
nails to tear through the flesh of the hands, they drove
nails through his wrists. Hence, in the palm is the Sign
of the Nail, and in the wrist is the Sure Sign of the
Nail, or the Nail in the Sure place.
This token is given by clasping the right hands,
interlocking the little fingers, and placing the tip of
the forefinger upon the center of the wrist, in this
manner (The Officiator demonstrates this token with male
witness.). We desire all to receive it. All arise.
(As the witness couple returns to their seats various
temple workers administer the token as before, and each
patron sits after receiving it.)
If any of you have not received this token, you will
please raise your hand.
This token has a name and a sign. You will be under the
same sacred obligation in connection with this token and
sign as you are with the other tokens and signs of the
Holy Priesthood which you have received in the temple
this day. The name of this token will not be given to
you at this stage in the Endowment, but it will be given
later on.
The sign is made by raising both hands high above the
head (The officiator demonstrates), and while lowering
the hands repeating aloud the words: "Oh God, hear the
words of my mouth!" repeated three times.
PETER: When Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden,
he built an altar and offered prayer, and these are the
words that he uttered: "Oh God, Hear the words of my
mouth!", repeated three times.
All arise. (All patrons stand.) Each of you make the
sign of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, by
raising both hands high above the head, and while
lowering the hands repeating three times the words:
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
(As the patrons make the sign they repeat words with the
recording as described before.)
PETER: That will do. (all patrons sit down.) With the
robe on the right shoulder you are prepared to be taught
the True Order of Prayer; and to be introduced at the
Veil.
THE PRAYER CIRCLE AND THE TRUE ORDER OF PRAYER
PETER: A few of you, including couples, will please come
forward and form a circle around the altar.
(The audio recording stops and the Officiator says in
his own words a statement to the following effect.)
OFFICIATOR: We would like to invite the witness couple
to take their place at the head of the altar, and an
equal number of brothers and sisters to join us in the
circle. Any receiving their own personal Endowment, and
any who are about to be married are especially invited
to join us in the Prayer Circle at this time.
(The tape recording again resumes.)
NARRATOR: Only the best of feelings should exist in the
Circle. If any of you have unkind feelings toward any
member of this circle, you are invited to withdraw so
that the Spirit of the Lord may be unrestrained.
In the Circle we make the signs of all the tokens of the
Holy Priesthood.
(Patrons make each sign as they are mentioned by the
Narrator.)
We will begin by making the Sign of the First Token of
the Aaronic Priesthood. This is done by bringing the
right arm to the square, the palm of the hand to the
front, the fingers close together, and the thumb
extended. This is the sign. The name of this token is
the New Name received in the temple today.
We will now make the Sign of the Second Token of the
Aaronic Priesthood. This sign is done by bringing the
right hand in front of you with the hand in cupping
shape, the right hand forming a square, and the left arm
being raised to the square. This is the sign. The name
of this token is your first given name if you are going
through the temple for your own Endowment, or if you are
going through for the dead, it is the first given name
of the person for whom you are officiating.
We will now make the sign of the First Token of the
Melchizedek Priesthood or Sign of the Nail. This is done
by bringing the left hand in front of you with the hand
in cupping shape, the left arm forming a square. The
right hand is also brought forward, the palm down, the
fingers close together with the thumb extended. This is
the sign. The name of this Token is "the Son", meaning
the Son of God.
We will now make the Sign of the Second Token of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure
Sign of the Nail. This is done by raising both hands
high above the head, and while lowering the hands
repeating three times the words:
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth!
(The Officiator now holds a small white cloth pouch in
view of the patrons, and sets it upon the altar.)
We have here a list of names of persons who are sick, or
otherwise afflicted, who we are requested to remember in
our prayer. We will place this list upon the altar, and
request the faith of those present in behalf of these
persons.
The sisters in the room will please veil their faces.
Each brother in the circle will take the sister at his
left, by the right hand in the Patriarchal Grip. Each of
you bring your left arm to the square, and rest it upon
the shoulder or arm of the person at your left. Those in
the Circle will repeat the words of the prayer.
OFFICIATOR (the officiator kneels at the altar, and
makes the sign of the Second Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood by bringing his right hand forward, with the
hand in cupping shape, resting it upon the altar. His
left arm is raised to the square. The prayer is spoken
by the Officiator, who decides its form and content. He
speaks a few sentences at a time, which are repeated in
unison by the patrons in the circle. After the prayer,
the patrons in the circle release the grip, the
Officiator rises, and the audio tape resumes.)
PETER: The sisters will unveil their faces, and the
brethren and sisters in the circle will return to their
seats. (All patrons sit.) We will now uncover the Veil.
THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE: ENTRANCE TO THE CELESTIAL
KINGDOM
(The curtain at the front of the endowment room is now
drawn aside to reveal the Veil. Several segments can be
seen by the patrons, and the Officiator approaches one
of them with a pointer in his hand and prepares to draw
attention to the marks on the veil as they are
explained.)
PETER: Brethren and sisters, this is the Veil of the
temple. I will now explain the marks on the Veil. These
four marks are the marks of the Holy Priesthood, and
corresponding marks are found in your individual
garment.
On the right is the mark of the square. It is placed in
the Garment over the right breast, suggesting to the
mind exactness and honor in keeping the covenants
entered into this day.
On the left is the mark of the compass. It is placed in
the Garment over the left breast, suggesting to the mind
an undeviating course leading to Eternal Life, a
constant reminder that desires, appetites and passions
are to be kept within the bounds the Lord has set, and
that all truth may be circumscribed unto one great
whole.
This is the navel mark. It is placed in the Garment over
the navel, suggesting to the mind the need of constant
nourishment to the body and spirit.
This is the knee mark. It is placed in the right leg of
the garment, so as to be over the knee cap, suggesting
that every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall
confess that Jesus is the Christ.
These other three marks are for convenience in working
at the Veil. Through this one, the person representing
the Lord puts forth his right hand, to test our
knowledge of the tokens of the Holy Priesthood. Through
the one on our right, he asks us certain questions,
through the one on the left, we give our answers.
(As the Officiator, who now represents Peter, steps to
the front of the Veil another male worker stand behind
it to represent the Lord. A mallet hangs on the metal
frame which supports the Veil.)
PETER: As all of you will have to pass through the Veil,
we will show you how this is to be done. The person is
brought to this point, and the worker gives three
distinct taps with the mallet. (The officiator raps the
mallets three times.) Whereupon, the Lord parts the
Veil, and asks:
LORD: What is wanted?
PETER: Adam, having been true and faithful in all
things, desires further light and knowledge, by
conversing with the Lord, through the Veil.
LORD: Present him at the Veil, and his request shall be
granted.
PETER: The person is the brought to this point,
whereupon the Lord puts forth his right hand, gives the
First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood, and asks:
LORD: What is that?
PETER: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I will, through the Veil.
PETER: The person then gives, through the Veil, the name
of this token, which is the New name received in the
temple today. The Lord then gives the Second Token of
the Aaronic Priesthood, and asks:
LORD: What is that?
PETER: The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I will, through the Veil.
PETER: The person then gives the name of this token,
which is his first given name, if he is going through
the temple for his own Endowment, or if he is going
through for the dead, it is the first given name of the
person for whom he is officiating. The Lord then gives
the First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or Sign
of the Nail, and asks:
LORD: What is that?
PETER: The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, or
Sign of the Nail.
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I will, through the Veil.
PETER: The person then gives the name of this token,
which is "the Son," meaning, the Son of God. The Lord
then gives the Second Token of the Melchizedek
Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the
Nail, and asks:
LORD: What is that?
PETER: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I cannot. I have not yet received it. For this
purpose I have come to converse with the Lord through
the Veil.
LORD: You shall receive it through the Veil.
PETER: It is received as left arms are placed upon right
shoulders through the Veil.
(The Officiator places his left arm through the mark of
the compass and rests his hand on the right shoulder of
the Lord, as the Lord places His left arm through the
mark of the square and rests his hand on the right
shoulder of the Officiator. The right hands remain
clasped in the Patriarchal Grip.)
PETER: The Lord then gives the name of this token, and
asks:
LORD: What is that?
PETER: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.
LORD: Has it a name?
PETER: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PETER: I will, through the Veil.
PETER: The person then repeats back to the Lord the name
of this token, as he receives it, whereupon the Lord
says:
LORD: That is correct.
PETER: The person is again brought to this point, and
the worker gives three distinct taps with the mallet.
The Lord parts the Veil and asks:
LORD: What is wanted?
PETER: Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the
Veil, desires now to enter his presence.
PETER: The Lord puts forth his right hand, takes the
person by the right hand, and says:
LORD: Let him enter.
PETER: He is admitted into the presence of the Lord. We
will now report. Jehovah, we have been down to Adam and
Eve and their posterity in the Terrestrial World, and
have given unto them the Law of Consecration, and have
caused them to receive it by covenant. We have given
unto them the Second Token of the Melchizedek
Priesthood, the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the
Nail, with its accompanying sign, and have taught them
the Order of Prayer. They are now ready to converse with
the Lord through the Veil. This is our report.
JEHOVAH: It is well, Peter, James, and John. Elohim—Peter
James and John have been down to Adam and Eve and their
posterity in the Terrestrial World, and have done all
that they were commanded to do.
ELOHIM: It is well. Jehovah, instruct Peter, James, and
John to introduce Adam and Eve and their posterity at
the Veil, where we will give unto them the name of the
Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the
Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail, preparatory
to their entering into our presence.
JEHOVAH: It shall be done, Elohim. Peter, James, and
John, you will introduce Adam and Eve and their
posterity at the Veil, where we will give unto them the
name of the Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail,
preparatory to their entering into our presence.
PETER: It shall be done Jehovah. Come James and John, we
will introduce them at the Veil.
Brethren and sisters, we are instructed to introduce you
at the Veil, where you will receive the name of the
Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the
Patriarchal Grip, or the Sure Sign of the Nail,
preparatory to your entering into the presence of God.
CEREMONY AT THE VEIL
(At this point, a temple worker motions to the patrons,
row by row, directing them to the various Veil segments.
A worker stands at each segment to introduce the patron
to "the Lord" who is on the other side of the Veil. The
worker gives three distinct taps with the mallet.)
LORD: What is wanted?
WORKER: Adam, having been true and faithful in all
things, desires further light and knowledge, by
conversing with the Lord, through the Veil. [for and in
behalf of _____, who is dead].
LORD: Present him at the Veil, and his request shall be
granted.
(The Lord gives the First Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood through the opening in the Veil.)
LORD: What is that?
PATRON: The First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
LORD: Has it a name?
PATRON: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PATRON: I will, through the Veil. (The patron gives the
New Name).
(The Lord gives the Second Token of the Aaronic
Priesthood.)
LORD: What is that?
PATRON: The Second Token of the Aaronic Priesthood.
LORD: Has it a name?
PATRON: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PATRON: I will, through the Veil (The patron gives the
first given name of the person for whom the temple work
is being done).
(The Lord gives the First Token of the Melchizedek
Priesthood.)
LORD: What is that?
PATRON: The First Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
or Sign of the Nail.
LORD: Has it a name?
PATRON: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PATRON: I will, through the Veil—the Son.
(The Lord gives the Second Token of the Melchizedek
Priesthood.)
LORD: What is that?
PATRON: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.
LORD: Has it a name?
PATRON: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PATRON: I cannot. I have not yet received it. For this
purpose I have come to converse with the Lord through
the Veil.
LORD: You shall receive it through the Veil.
(The Lord and the patron, still holding the grip, place
their left arms through the marks of the compass and
square, which are cut through the Veil. The patron's
left arm goes through the mark of the compass, and the
Lord's left arm goes through the mark of the square.
They rest their left hands on each other's right
shoulders.)
LORD: This is the name of the Token—"Health in the
navel, marrow in the bones, strength in the loins and in
the sinews, power in the Priesthood be upon me, and upon
my posterity through all generations of time, and
throughout all eternity."
LORD: What is that?
PATRON: The Second Token of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the Patriarchal Grip, or Sure Sign of the Nail.
LORD: Has it a name?
PATRON: It has.
LORD: Will you give it to me?
PATRON: I will, through the Veil—Health in the navel,
marrow in the bones, strength in the loins and in the
sinews, power in the Priesthood be upon me, and upon my
posterity through all generations of time, and
throughout all eternity.
LORD: That is correct.
(The Lord and patron break the ceremonial embrace, and
the temple worker gives three taps with the mallet.)
LORD: What is wanted?
WORKER: Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the
Veil, desires now to enter his presence.
LORD: Let him enter.
(The Veil is now parted and the Lord takes the patron by
the right hand, and pulls him gently through the Veil
into the Celestial Room.)
Additional note: At this point the ceremony is
officially over and patrons are encouraged to sit or
stand quietly in the Celestial Room and “feel the
Spirit”. The Celestial Room is lavishly adorned with
mirrors, a crystal chandelier, lush chairs, sofas and
carpeting, all in light beiges and off-white hues.
The Celestial Room
A printed, bound copy of both the pre- and post-1990
versions can be
ordered from Utah Lighthouse Ministries. The cost is
$6.00
plus P&H. It is
titled: Evolution of the Mormon Temple Ceremony:
1842-1990.
Online orders:
http://www.utlm.org/booklist/titles/evolutionmormontempleceremony_ub005.htm
Utah Lighthouse Ministries
1350 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
(801) 485-8894 www.utlm.org